Randal fish



. and bands on `prepared for applying thei UNITED sTATns NPATENT minion.

. `Raivniirl risa, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

MACHINERY FOR FORIVIING, 65C., HATS OF LEATHER, SKINS, AND OTHER MATERIALS.

, `Specification of Letters Patent No. 3,790, dated October 1,2,

To all wlwmf may concern Be it known that I, RANDAL FISH, of the city of New Yorkgin the State of New York, have invented a new and improved mode of `making hats and caps of leather, skins, or

Fig. 2, a longitudinal section to show the ar-` rangement of thepartsglig. 3, anenlarged View of the hat removed from the machine after having been formed, with all the hoops sizing, and Fig. 4, a separate View of the bed piece on the same scale, to represent the groove and recesses for receiving the spring clamp band and screw.

, raised by three posts of sufficient height to admit a hat to pass through a hole cut fo-r the purpose in the center of the bench.

B, is a movable bed `piece having a hole through it of sufficient size to give free passage to the hat block as it carries the skin or fabricwith it in the formation of the hat. This hole is made a little oval to correspond with the oval shape of the hat block. The upper surface of the bed piece is made a little dishing to correspond with the curve shape of the block. The surface of the bed piece is larger by a half inch or more than is required for the brim of the hat, as in all cases the brim will need trimming in order to get an even edge. The bed piece should be made of vplank about two inches thick. Around `the upper and inner edge of the bed piece, there is a groove cut about half an inch in width and three fourths of an inch in depth for the spring clamp band No. l. About one tenth of the circumference of this groove is enlarged to accommodate the tightening screw No. 2, also to accommodate the flanges of the spring clamp band, through which said screw passes,.by

it is removed. There is also a horizontal hole G `or slot passing fromthe periphery of the bed piece to the enlargement of the groove, forthe purpose of applying the key to the tightening screw. i

A conical form is given to the spring clamp4 bands to enlarge the circumference of the lower edge of the band` so that it may rest on the Hange or bottom or the groove in the bed piece, and also to prevent it from bearing upon the hat except at the upper edge, that varnish &c. may beapplied as nearly as possible tothe whole sur- ,faceof the hat while the fastenings remain.

`This `band ismade of iron, steel orother metal `with aflange at each endabout three fourths of an inch in width and one fourth in thickness at the lower edge, diminishing in thickness fro-m the lower, to the upper edge to less than one eighth of an inch, so that the least possible surface of the band shall come in contact with the hat. `This thickness at the lower edge is given for the purpose o-f giving it strength, and also to enlarge its circumference. This band is curved to conform to the curve and shape of the block and is intended to form the angle to the brim, and rim, or body of the hat by holding the skin or fabric loosely around the block until the block is pressed down to the full depthof the body of the hat, where by means of the tightening screw it is made to hug the block closely, as before described. There is also a groove made on the surface or periphery of the bed piece half an inch in depth, and one eighth of an inch in width for a hoop over which the skin or fabric is drawn. This hoop marked Z in the drawing may be made of iron or other metal, the size and shape corresponding with the groove last described.

No. 3, is an open band made of thin sheet iron or brass with flanges at the ends and is loosened or tightened in the same manner as band No. 1,. by means of a screw No. 2; This band No. 3, is applied to the outer surface or periphery of the bed piece and hoop and over the skin or fabric for the hat to confine the skin or fabric between the hoo-p and band with suficient firmness to stretch and hold in shape the brim, at the same time yielding just enough t-o let the Y skin or fabric pass over the hoop, and down ion formed; and then by turning the tightening screw a little more, the band holds the brim of the hat in its place till it is dry.

C, is a small plate lof brass or other metal sufliciently large to cover the flanges of the spring clamp band and space between the flanges, to complete the circle around the hat and aid in confining t-he skin or fabric to the block with equal firmness as that of the other parts of the spring clamp band. The inner edge of this plate is curved to conform to the circleV of the spring Vclamp band and block, having also a flange turned down about one fourth of an inch to hold it in its proper position when placed over the band.

F F, are two rests or band holders, being properly adjusted by screws inthe cross `beam upon band No. 3 to prevent it from rising while the hat is being pressed into shape.

Having thus fully described the nature of the machinery used by me for forming hats and caps of leather, skins, or other fabric, and Vshown the manner in which the Q 'avec 2. I also claim the combination of the hoop with the adjust-able band for clamping the brim of the hat to hold it while under the operation of the machine, and` after it has been removed, to admit of sizing, which could not be ei'ected with clamp plates.

RANDAL FIsH.

Witnesses i IV. THOMPSON, JETHRO HATCH. 

